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Bye, Bye, Green Grass

Bye, Bye, Green Grass

In Los Angeles City upon the sale of a house it must be retrofitted with water saving devices such as low flow toilets and shower-heads. I have always found this rather amusing and only the proverbial drip in the bucket when it comes to saving water. Meanwhile the expansive lawns of green grass drink at least twice a week for 20-30 minutes.

California, yes the entire State, is enduring one of the worst droughts of recent memory. On my planet the token water-saving toilets and shower-heads are no longer enough. I’d like to see lawns converted to “desert” friendly landscaping, and better use of gray water to hydrate the new vegetation. Southern California is a desert and the natural vegetation has its own beauty. It takes some getting accustomed to, if one grew up with the feel of green grass between the toes, but plants requiring very little water can be just as attractive as thirsty green lawns.

Efforts have been made in the past to wean residents from excessive water usage. The “water wars” of California are well recorded, yet during all the discussions of the present drought very little is being done to inspire the citizens of Los Angeles, and other Southern California residents, to move to a more water-friendly type of landscaping.

Verifying and policing new policies require man-hours local municipalities simply cannot provide. Since toilet retrofitting proof is a requirement of sale and is documented by the selling agent or a plumber, it makes sense an agent or landscaping company could vouch (and provide a photo) for the conversion upon sale of the property. Yes, it’s another layer of bureaucracy, but I’ve always thought it would be a wonderful way to transition to a style of landscaping more in keeping with the local climate and rainfall.

Our California real estate files are so fat already, what’s one more form, especially if helps us save a precious natural resource? We’ve cleaned up our air, now it’s time be become truly water wise and move to a more sustainable way of consuming fresh water.

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Josh has worked in real estate since 1995 including income property, luxury homes, and commercial property management. He has the Palos Verdes Specialist designation and has completed additional training for investment property analysis. Cell: 310-525-9440